SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
March 4, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Present: Nancy Allen, Christine Durgin, and Rick Marsh
Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Bob Clark, Doreen Frost, Susan Gatautis, Mike Leonard, Lynn Shaw, Ellen Anderson, Norman LaPointe, AFC members Fred Richards, Bob Bellefeuille, Jim Regan, Dave Davis, and Ross France
Chair Nancy Allen called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. and welcomed new member Rick Marsh to the Board.
1. REORGANIZATION
Christine Durgin moved to call Rick Marsh as Clerk. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and with Rick Marsh abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Rick Marsh moved to call Christine Durgin as vice-chair and Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With Christine Durgin abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. Christine Durgin moved to call Nancy Allen as chair. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and with Nancy Allen abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
2. MINUTES
Christine Durgin moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of March 1, 2008. Nancy Allen seconded the motion. With amendments noted and with Rick Marsh abstaining, the Board VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
3. MEETING WITH ALAN BACHRACH, RE: CLOTHING BIN AT TRANSFER STATION
Dr. Bachrach did not attend the meeting.
4. BUDGET MEETINGS
A. CON/COM (#41)
Chair Bob Clark asked that the budget be set at $1, as the ConCom has a number of other sources which are used for, among other things, educational programs at PCS and the Wetlands Protection Fund is used for training. He explained the use of the Hearings R/A that was voted and stated it was working well. He questioned the need for a budget for the Open Space Committee now or whether the Town should wait until funding is needed. The AFC will discuss this matter.
B. HDC/HC (#25 and #26)
Chair Bob Clark level funded the two accounts at $90 for the Historic Commission and $270 for the Historic District Commission, stating that there has not been much work for these commissions this past year.
C. BOH (#42)
Vice-chair Doreen Frost and BOH secretary Susan Gatautis met discussed the BOH budget. A secretarial wage increase of 11% was requested. BOH members’ salaries were level-funded. A decrease was shown in office supplies, legal, and seminars and field trips, emergency management contracted services, and agency help with compliance. No new equipment was requested. DSL service was budgeted for $720. Susan Gatautis stated that she has applied for a grant to cover that charge, but has not heard if it was awarded. Well testing for the Town Office Building and Town Hall and the cost of the operator for these services should be taken out of the BOH budget and added to the THOE (#28) budget. Dues for the NCRSWD should be paid out of the Enterprise Fund. There was a discussion of reducing the amount in the BOH R/A. It was agreed that this can be done by a special Town Meeting article similar to the one used to reduce the Building Inspector’s R/A.
D. TREE WARDEN (#37 and #61)
Tree Warden Mike Leonard level-funded the Tree Warden Account. Under the account, High Tree Work – Common, there was a question as to whether this account’s name should be amended to include ‘and surrounding area’) as Mike Leonard explained that Town trees that are not necessarily on the Common but in close proximity need work. He continued, stating that the South Common has a lot of trees that need pruning and some are fading. The FY08 budget for this account is $0. He requested $2,000 for tree pruning; $1,000, stump grinding; and $2,000, tree planting.
Mike Leonard then discussed an agreement, he had emailed to Nancy Allen, for a third party opinion for tree cutting at the Country Club where Town trees were removed from Town property that runs through the Country Club area. It was noted that Mike Leonard has made a financial assessment of the damage, but recommended that the Town obtain another opinion. Nancy Allen stated that another meeting is planned regarding this situation and a report will be forthcoming from DCR. She requested that the Board wait for the report before proceeding with the third-party opinion. The Board agreed.
E. PLANNING (#24)
Planning Board Chair Lynn Shaw stated that clerical assistance will not be budgeted for FY09. She stated that the Subdivision Rules and Regulations and the Zoning By-laws are coming along. Based upon the complexities of the proposed by-laws and for clarification purposes, she estimates that four or five mailings to each household will be needed. The By-laws will be presented in sections to the Town’s voters. It was noted on the budget sheet that $150 is budgeted for postage. It was agreed that the amount may not cover even one mailing and therefore, the requested postage budget was increased to $1,000. All other line items were level-funded. Lynn Shaw noted that $1,228.57 in the FY05 Open Space Committee will be needed to complete payment to the consultant currently working with the Planning Board on the by-laws.
F. ZBA (#29)
ZBA Chair Ellen Anderson stated that this past year has been a quiet one for the Board. She stated there has been one initial inquiry about cell towers. In the budget submitted, costs for dues and subscriptions and training were deleted. She asked that $750 be retained for clerical help and $500 be retained for consultants’ fees.
G. HIGHWAY
Highway Supt. Norman LaPointe present Salaries (#44) with a 3% increase and requested the $8,000 he received last year for seasonal, part-time help. Under Town Barn Account (#45), fuel was increased by $500 and drug testing was increased by $240. In the General Highway account (#46), the part-time salary was moved to Salaries (#44) account. The balance of the budget was level-funded. The Snow Account (#47) showed an increased of $46,000. Norman LaPointe stated that the account is over budget by approximately $41,000 at this time. Under the Streetlights Account (#48), an increase of $300 was included. It was noted that a contract for electricity has not signed for the coming year.
Norman LaPointe presented quotes for two vehicles, a 2008 Ford F-350 pick up for $35,611 and a 2008 Sterling L8500 dump truck for $122,708. Both items were submitted to the CIPC. It was noted that the new dump truck was approved by the CIPC and the Board previously voted to pay for the truck out of Chapter 90 funds.
Nancy Allen commented about the East Street cemetery roads being plowed two to three car lengths in to allow off-street parking in the winter.
A discussion followed about the Highway Department building a new ramp. Norman LaPointe stated that he could, but would have to work under someone’s contractor’s license. The board asked that he find out from the Building Inspector if the present ramp could be repaired by the Highway Department without seeking out a contractor’s license.
The Board discussed with Norman LaPointe the new Excavation and Trench Safety regulations which have become law and will need to be enforced beginning January 1, 2009. Norman LaPointe expressed his concerns with the regulations and said he is seeking additional information and also if his department is the one which should be responsible. The Board asked Dale Bull to call towns similar to Petersham to ask about how they are handling the Trench Regulations.
5. MORGAN TRAILER
Christine Durgin moved to sign a letter to Donna Pond and William Morgan confirming the March 27, 2008, expiration of the permit for trailers located at 18 Popple Camp Road. Rick Marsh seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. TOWN HALL WINDOWS
Rick Marsh noted that he felt the windows in the Lower Town hall could be saved and protected against further weathering. Nancy Allen stated that the $5,700 figure represented the cost for replacement windows, but not labor. The Board agreed that specs should be obtained for repair of the windows and for replacement.
7. TOWN HALL DISHWASHER
The Board discussed the DEP mandate through the BOH for installation of new sinks in the Lower Town Hall kitchen or the installation of a dishwasher. Nancy Allen stated that the Board had previously agreed to install sinks and a request amounting to $5,000 had been sent to the CIPC. Nancy Allen stated that the request can be pulled and the funds can be sought elsewhere. The Board discussed the FY08 TH Maintenance account and the THOE Expense account. Discussion of second-hand equipment followed, concluding that by the time all the proper new fittings were purchased, it might be less expensive to purchase a new sink. Dale Bull will seek three quotes based on Maryann Walker’s specifications.
8. NICHEWAUG INN TASK FORCE
This matter was not discussed.
9. PERMITS
Rick Marsh moved to renew the following business permits and Christine Durgin seconded the motion:
-Dwight A. Cooley, Cooley’s Maple Sugar House, for the business of a sugar house located at 140 South Street selling maple syrup and maple sugar products;
-Francis Misiuk, for a self-employed stone mason working out of home at 20 Woodward Road. The Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board reviewed the following:
11. OTHER BUSINESS
Dale Bull reported on availability of work for the Town by Monty Tech students and the Sheriff’s Department. She stated that Monty Tech students are available for Town Hall work. A letter of request needs to be sent to Supt. Culkeen describing in detail as much as possible of what the work will entail. The students do not work during the summer and do labor only. All supplies and/or equipment are the responsibility of the Town. The students do not do plumbing or electrical work for municipalities. As this is a classroom situation for the students, the Town must understand that work performed will be at a slower pace than that done by professionals. Any work requested cannot be done before the fall and there is no schedule in place at this time. Sgt. Whitney from the Sheriff’s office stated that Town Hall shutters can be worked on off-site. He will be visiting the Town later this week or next week to review the project. The Town would be responsible for removal and replacement of the shutters, all paint, scrapers, brushes and any other supplies he feels will be required to complete the job. A detailed letter of request must be faxed to the Sheriff requesting the work to be done.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Rick Marsh moved to adjourn. Christine Durgin seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fredrik A. Marsh, Clerk